Tag: Andre Jackson Jr.

Bucks’ Adrian Griffin on Andre Jackson Jr.: ‘He’ll be in the rotation’

After recently starting in consecutive games, Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said Andre Jackson Jr. will remain in the rotation.

Milwaukee Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said rookie Andre Jackson Jr. will remain in the rotation after recently starting consecutive games.

Jackson earned the nod in place of Malik Beasley, who was sidelined with an illness. He responded by producing 10 points and eight rebounds on Saturday in a win over Detroit. He followed with nine points, six rebounds and four assists Sunday in a win against Houston.

The 36th pick had his best two-game stretch of the season in those starts. Griffin was happy with how Jackson performed and will keep him in the rotation because of the energy and effort he brings, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Jackson is averaging 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds on 45% shooting from 3-point range in 20 appearances this season. He has played sporadically thus far, but figures to see a larger role after his recent performances in the starting lineup.

The 22-year-old was highly touted as a defender and rebounder with a high basketball IQ ahead of the draft this year. He worked extensively on improving his offensive ability, which has shown in a limited sample size this season.

The Bucks have a roster built to compete for championships, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and others. However, the contributions of players such as Jackson will be crucial at times for their chances to make another deep run.

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Post-preseason NBA rookie power rankings: Wemby is an obvious No. 1, but it gets wild after that

It’s really hard to evaluate rookies this early in their professional careers! 

Let’s just get something out of the way: It’s really hard to evaluate rookies this early in their professional careers!

Players are still trying to find their role in the league and adjusting to the experience of playing against the toughest competition in the world. Coaches are still hoping to figure out the best to utilize these guys, many of whom are still very raw.

But we still wanted to have a baseline evaluation of the rookies we have seen so far, even if it might look a bit strange. Before you get too upset, though, let’s offer a quick reminder. Per ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year almost always goes to the first-year player who had the highest total combination of points, rebounds and assists per game.

During the preseason, that player was (obviously) Victor Wembanyama.

Our list doesn’t follow that model, but it may look a bit spicy due to some notable players being excluded. It is worth noting, though, that six of the 10 players we highlighted ranked in the top 10 among rookies in that very basic points/rebounds/assists formula.

Average it out to productivity per 36 minutes and then filter out everyone except for the 30 players who logged the most minutes and you will find eight of the following players.

Our rankings do, however, give more weight to scoring efficiency and turnovers. We also accounted for defensive metrics like blocks, steals and fouls. These are all important measures of impact on a basketball court.

You may be surprised to not find players like Miller or Henderson but both were still figuring out the kinks. That doesn’t mean they won’t get on here in the regular season once they find their rhythm. This is not predictive of their future success but rather an assessment of where they are at this moment.

But during preseason, for example, Henderson led all rookies in turnovers and personal fouls committed. Miller, meanwhile, had an effective field-goal percentage of below 40.0 percent (the league average was at 54.5 percent last season). It’s worth acknowledging, though, that they do have tougher roles on their teams than some of their competition.

Otherwise, here is how we would rank the upcoming rookies based on their play during the preseason:

5 second-round picks in 2023 who already look like draft steals during NBA Summer League

How did Leonard Miller and Andre Jackson fall to the second round?

While it is never a good idea to overreact to strong performances at NBA Summer League, there is a lot we can learn from these games.

For example, so far, we have already seen some standout showings from several prospects selected outside the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Although it doesn’t mean these players are destined for continued dominance during their professional careers, there are other conclusions we can make.

Early in the Las Vegas-based tournament, some of the top players include second-round picks like Minnesota Timberwolves forward Leonard Miller. We took a deep dive to explain what we have seen from Miller, as well as a few other notable second-round picks, thus far.

This story used AI-Powered statistics provided by the Stats Perform database.

RELATED: Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh is dominating NBA Summer League thanks to better floor spacing

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2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: 58 projections after the early entry withdrawal deadline

Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline.

The NBA pre-draft process crossed another important checkpoint on the schedule with the early entry withdrawal deadline coming and going this week.

Prospects had the opportunity to test the waters and meet with teams to gain feedback on their potential draft stock. To maintain their remaining college eligibility, they had to withdraw from consideration by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.

The deadline saw several potential second-round picks withdraw from the draft and return to school. With name, image and likeness playing a prevalent role in college basketball, players were likely swayed to stay one more year to work on their games and capitalize financially.

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The 2024 draft is also projected to be weaker than in past years, which also may have played a role in some players opting against turning pro. They likely believe they will have a greater chance of being a first-round pick next year.

With several players off the board, teams can prioritize workouts and interviews with those individuals remaining in the draft. As a result, players’ stock will continue to fluctuate with less than three weeks to go until the draft.

Rookie Wire took a look at where the draft stands following the early entry withdrawal deadline. Team needs were taken into consideration for these picks.

2023 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: The latest projections after the draft lottery

Rookie Wire took a look at where the next draft class stands following the lottery.

The order of the 2023 NBA draft was decided this week by the lottery, and the San Antonio Spurs received the No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history.

Of course, that means the Spurs will have the first opportunity to select 7-foot-4 French phenom Victor Wembanyama. They are apparently the team he had his sights set on, and he will now likely look to continue his basketball journey in San Antonio.

Elsewhere, Charlotte and Portland made jumps in their lottery positioning, and they now have more options to consider on draft night. Detroit dropped the furthest from No. 1 by virtue of having the worst record to No. 5.

With the order set, teams will ramp up their draft preparations.

This week, the league converged in Chicago for the G League Elite Camp and draft combine. Though many prospects skipped the 5-on-5 scrimmages and other testing, several seemingly helped themselves with great showings on the court.

Teams will continue to prioritize seeing those individuals that declared as early entrants since the deadline for them to return to school is May 31. Several prospects will have tough decisions to make in the coming days but should have more clarity after the combine.

Rookie Wire took a look at where the draft stands following the lottery. It is important to note that team needs were not necessarily taken into account with each pick. The projections are rather a look at where each individual player stands at this point of the process.

UConn guard Andre Jackson Jr. comments on upcoming NBA draft decision

Jackson helped UConn claim its fifth national title this year after averaging 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals.

Andre Jackson Jr. emerged as a great defender last season at UConn, but it is his offensive game he is working to improve during the pre-draft process.

Jackson helped the Huskies claim their fifth national title this year after averaging 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals. He was one of eight players in the country to record at least 225 points, 200 rebounds and 150 assists.

The 6-foot-6 Jackson shot 43.2% from the field, including 28.1% from 3-point range on 2.5 attempts per game. He is putting in plenty of time in the gym working to improve his shot mechanics and said it has been his biggest point of emphasis of late.

It has been a great emphasis. I know that is the biggest weakness in my game so that is something I’m going to be working on for the entirety of my career, trying to get that to as good as I can. Working on just getting it off quicker, shooting it with confidence, getting full extension on my shot and looking at the rim as soon as I catch it.

While he is improving his shot, he believes the rest of his game will translate well to the next level. He is viewed as a potential first-round pick this year, in large part because of his ability as a rebounder and his potential to develop into a lockdown defender.

Jackson led the Big East in defensive box plus-minus (plus-5.1) and ranked 13th among all players in the country in that category. That was on full display throughout the season and into the postseason as the Huskies won the title.

I think the things I do well definitely translate — rebounding, playing defense, being a glue guy. I think all of those things translate. Playing with high-level players just makes it that much easier; guys who make tough shots, guys that know how to play the game well, run the lanes well and also have just as high of an IQ as I do.

Jackson retained the right to return to school when he declared for the draft last month. He was among the prospects that worked out with the Indiana Pacers on Friday and previously visited the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.

He will compete in the draft combine next week and then likely participate in more workouts ahead of the May 31 withdrawal deadline to return to school. He has yet to formally decide on his future next season but is focused on staying present at the moment.

“I’m going into these workouts with the mentality that I’m going to the NBA,” Jackson said. “I’m working every day to try to compete to be at that level and I think am. I’m definitely thinking about going so it is all about sticking to it and not letting anything in the future get in the way of what’s going on right now.”

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Hall of Famer Larry Bird attended Pacers’ first pre-draft workout

The Pacers held their first pre-draft workout on Friday and the organization had a familiar face on hand to catch the festivities.

The Indiana Pacers held their first pre-draft workout on Friday, and the organization had a familiar face on hand to catch the festivities: Hall of Famer Larry Bird.

Of course, Bird coached the Pacers from 1997-2000 and served as the president of basketball operations in two separate stints, 2003-2012 and 2013-2017. He was an advisor to the team until last July when it was announced he was no longer active in that role.

Bird hasn’t been seen much since leaving his role with the team, but is certainly always welcomed to stop by and catch up with those within the organization.

He was captured by Scott Agness of the Fieldhouse Files Substack.

Bird was on hand as the Pacers hosted six prospects for workouts: Kobe Brown (Missouri), Andre Jackson Jr. (UConn), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA), Arthur Kaluma (Creighton), Liutauras Lelevicius (Zalgiris, Lithuania) and Grant Nelson (North Dakota State).

He caught the prospects off guard by being there.

“It was just incredible,” Jaquez said. “There are no words.”

The Pacers enter the draft lottery on Tuesday slotted seventh after finishing with a 35-47 record this season. They also have pick Nos. 26 and 29 in the first round and Nos. 50 and 55 in the second round, respectively.

The NBA draft will take place on June 22.

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All-American Jaime Jaquez Jr. to attend Pacers’ first draft workout

Jaquez was a consensus second-team All-American after averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals.

Former UCLA forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be among the prospects to attend a pre-draft workout with the Indiana Pacers on Friday, the team announced.

Jaquez was a consensus second-team All-American after averaging 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals on 48.1% shooting from the field. He was also recognized as the Pac-12 Player of the Year and was a semifinalist for the Naismith Player of the Year Trophy.

In addition to Jaquez, the Pacers also plan to host Kobe Brown (Missouri), Andre Jackson Jr. (UConn), Arthur Kaluma (Creighton), Liutauras Lelevicius (Zalgiris, Lithuania) and Grant Nelson (North Dakota State) on Friday.

It is their first pre-draft workout of the year.

The Pacers enter the draft lottery on Tuesday slotted seventh after finishing with a 35-47 record this season. They also have pick Nos. 26 and 29 in the first round and Nos. 50 and 55 in the second round.

The NBA draft will take place on June 22.

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NBA draft combine 2023: A complete tracker of player invitations

Rookie Wire took a look at those prospects that have earned invitations to compete in the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp.

The NBA pre-draft process is in full swing as prospects work toward achieving the ultimate goal of hearing their names called by Commissioner Adam Silver on June 22.

Reports are beginning to surface of prospects receiving invitations to compete in the draft combine on May 15-21 in Chicago, Illinois. Each year, teams submit a list of players they would like to see invited, typically those with the highest odds of getting drafted.

The event features 5-on-5 games, strength and agility testing, shooting drills, measurements and other related on-court exercises. Prospects have the opportunity to improve their draft stock in a competitive environment against their peers.

Last year, 76 players were announced as participants in the event.

The G League Elite Camp will take place in Chicago on May 13-14 with players competing in front of NBA and G League scouts, coaches and front-office executives. The top performers will also be invited to perform in the draft combine.

The official list of participants for both events has yet to be unveiled.

Those underclassmen that filed as early entry candidates will also have the chance to interview with teams and gain feedback on their draft positioning. The information will be helpful in forming their decisions on staying in the draft or returning to school before the May 31 deadline.

Rookie Wire took a look at those prospects that have reportedly earned invitations to compete in the combine and G League Elite Camp. The list will be updated as more names emerge.

Last Update: May 14, 11:15 p.m. EDT

Report: UConn’s Andre Jackson Jr. to test NBA pre-draft process

Jackson was one of eight players in the country to record at least 225 points, 200 rebounds and 150 assists.

UConn junior guard Andre Jackson Jr. will reportedly declare for the 2023 NBA draft and retain his right to return to school, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Jackson helped the Huskies claim their fifth national title this year after averaging 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals. He was one of eight players in the country to record at least 225 points, 200 rebounds and 150 assists.

The 6-foot-6 Jackson emerged as a versatile defender that can guard multiple positions. He led the Big East in defensive box plus-minus (plus-5.1) and ranked 13th among all players in the country in that category. He also served as a great leader for the Huskies on offense.

Jackson is viewed as a potential late first-round pick in the draft this year. He is planning to participate in the combine next month and will try to improve his draft stock in front of teams and scouts during on-court workouts and scrimmages.

He will have until May 31 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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